Ahead of November governorship election in Kogi state, Barrister Natasha Akpoti has been elected to fly the flag of Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Natasha was elected at the SDP primary election which took place in Lokoja on Thursday.
The primary election witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) had delegates from across the 21 local government councils of the state.
Natasha emerged consensus candidate through indirect method polling 751 votes amidst 856 total accredited delegates; with 11 votes declared invalid.
The election which went peacefully saw the returning officer, Mr. Ben Ogbonna from the National Secretariat of the party declared Natasha Akpoti as the duly elected candidate of the party for the November 16 Kogi governorship election.
Addressing the delegates after her emergence, Natasha pledged to increase salary of civil servants in the state. She promised to the fortunes of the state around for good.
“This is a new era in Kogi state. When I contested for Senate for Kogi Central I was able to fight them without any money bag and godfather. I am going to defeat them again during the governorship election.
“If elected, I will fight poverty and hunger in the state. I assure the people that my era will be fruitful for the state.
“I promise to implement free education from primary to secondary school level, make the state tertiary institutions affordable for all and sundry and elevate public schools to international standard.
“In SMEs development, without office I empowered five thousand women across the state with twenty thousand naira free interest loan, I promise I to implement soft loans to helping strengthen the economy and make a Kogi state industrial hub of the nation.
“My primary assignment as a governor is to ensure safety of lives and properties. Crime thrives in a poor society, I will ensure there’s an effective and running economy where the youth will be engaged and wouldn’t have time to start thinking of crime.
“We are going to ensure there’s enough energy to power every house in Kogi State. Above all, we will work with the federal government to ensure Ajaokuta steel is revived to have more industries in the state and generate thousands of jobs for our unemployed youth”, she said.
State chairman of the party, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah said SDP is set to take over Lugard House in November.
“Our governorship candidate is capable to deliver the state from hunger, poverty and bad administration. We will take over Lugard House come November election.”
